Does Vicks Help Foot Fungus?

Athlete's Foot is a very painful, unsightly, and unforgiving fungus of the foot. It is called "Athlete's Foot" because it is usually spread by bacteria found on gym floors, in gym showers, and on gym equipment. A good way to avoid it is to never go into a gym barefooted, and always wear shower shoes or flip-flops in the shower and locker room. So, does Vicks help foot fungus, or is it a myth?

Toe Nail Fungus is No Fun

The condition is related to ringworm of the foot or, "tinea pedis". Common symptoms include scaling, itching, flaking, and peeling between the toes and also red, dry soles. If you were unfortunate enough to have caught it, you might be trying to find a cheaper, more natural solution than an expensive prescription or over the counter drug with artificial ingredients.

Natural Toenail Fungus Remedies

There are many natural home remedies to treat Athlete's Foot. Some suggest soaking the feet in a mixture of one part vinegar to four parts water twice a day while other recommend spraying the infected area with hydrogen peroxide twice a day for four or five days depending on severity.

Treating Nail Fungus

Another viable solution is to use Vick's Vapor-rub that will answer the question, "Does Vicks help foot fungus?". Most households have this to treat sore throat, cough, and allergy symptoms. Vick's has been associated with many crazy remedies, including eating a scoopful when feelings of a cold come up. Using it to cure Athlete's Foot will probably be easier to swallow, pardon the pun. The recommended way to use Vick's to cure fungus nails is to coat the infected area with a thick spread of Vick's: wrap in a plastic wrap or cotton wrap, secure tightly, and wear for a few hours. This process should be done twice a day until the infection is gone. Reports show that the infected area may discolor, especially under toenails, but do not be alarmed, that is the Vick's killing the infection. It should take up to a week to start seeing results.

Toe Fungus Treatment that Works

Some speculate over what is in Vick's to cause the healing of the infection. The three main ingredients are: camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. Since the biggest way to irritate athlete's foot is to let it breathe, it may be the menthol which is the biggest help, since menthol opens up the pores and allows air to pass through.

The actual science on "Does Vicks help foot fungus?" it is hard to find.
But whatever the science may say, there are many home remedy groups that are adamant about the curing possibilities of Vick's Vapor Rub. Since it has so many uses in other areas, it's at least worth a try. It may be just the foot fungus treatment you are looking for. Why spend a lot of money on costly treatments when you can use something as simple as this for a fungus nail cure?

By Peter Goodwell

Relieve Itchy Feet - Goats' Milk Soap and Natural Foot Scrubs

There are many causes for itchy feet but a few of the common ones include: athlete's foot, dry skin, contact dermatitis and eczematous dermatitis. Using proper foot care products can help all of these foot conditions. Homemade natural foot scrubs and goats milk soap are available to help itchy feet.
A fungus called trichophyton causes athlete's foot. This foot fungus can be derived by coming into contact with it at gyms, swimming pools, foot or nail salons and on socks or clothing. This foot fungus thrives in moist warm environments. Tight fitting shoes or socks do not allow the feet to breathe contributing to the build-up of moisture. Excessive sweating allows this foot fungus to spread.
What can you do to help get rid of athlete's foot fungus? Try an anti-bacterial, homemade, soap, such as natural goats milk soap to thoroughly wash the feet. This handmade natural soap is extremely mild and gentle. It thoroughly cleanses and is available unscented, Au Natural, or in a variety of natural scents.
Also, natural foot scrubs cleanse, exfoliate and rejuvenate feet leaving them soft, soothed and well conditioned.
Other ways to help get rid of athlete's foot are to: maintain dry feet, apply topical creams or anti-fungus powders, change to using acrylic socks instead of cotton socks, and change wearing the same shoes day after day. Consider wearing shoes that are breathable such as leather instead of plastic shoes that contain wetness.
Dry skin can cause redness, burning, flaking feet. Natural goats milk soap moisturizes feet. These homemade soaps are extremely mild and gentle, non-irritating, soothing and refreshing.
Dry feet can, also, lead to painful cracked heels. There is a natural foot scrub that is a light, lotion type of scrub made from Dead Sea salt and goats' milk soap. It is not heavy on the skin and mixes well with water instead of running off like oils. It cleanses, exfoliates leaving skin soft, well conditioned and moisturized.
Another type of natural foot scrub is made from Dead Sea salt, goats milk soap and raw honey. It is a heavy type of scrub designed, specifically, for cracked heels and calluses. It penetrates down deep where the skin is still alive. It softens calluses and allows cracks to slough off. The feet pain from cracked heels is relieved, almost immediately from all of the emollients in this scrub! It leaves skin, cleansed, exfoliated, soothed and moisturized.
Contact dermatitis can be caused by allergic reactions to dyes in socks, shoes, or even the glue used in shoes. People should try to determine the cause of their allergic reaction and then avoid them. Natural goats milk soap is available, unscented, with no added fragrance or dyes. It is extremely mild and gentle. Natural goats milk soap made with aloe and oats is, also, very soothing for skin. In addition, natural foot scrubs helps cleanse, exfoliate, soften, soothe and moisturize the skin.
Using soaps that are too harsh for skin can cause eczematous dermatitis. Skin stays dehydrated with redness, irritation or swelling. Natural goats milk soap does not contain the harsh and chemicals found in modern, commercial, soap. It contains natural, mild and gentle, skin friendly ingredients. Also, natural foot scrubs are soothing for tired, aching and sore feet.
The combination of using natural goats milk soap and natural foot scrubs is wonderful for a variety of itchy feet conditions. If you have been looking for something to relieve your tired, achy, sore, cracked heels, calluses, dry feet or itchy feet, and have not found anything that worked, maybe you have been looking in the wrong places.
You may consider trying homemade, natural, goats milk soap and homemade, natural, foot scrubs. These natural skin care products are nourishing and healthful for all types of skin, including dry itchy skin, and even for itchy feet!

By Susan Katchur